Wyoming

Where does a city dweller, rural landowner, rancher, or farmer turn for help to develop an attractive, water-wise landscape?

Among the good sources are University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and conservation district offices around the state, the research and extension (R&E) centers near Lingle, Powell, and Sheridan, UW horticulturists, extension publications, and greenhouses employing people knowledgeable about Wyoming's harsh environment and the plants that can survive the test of time.

Another great place for ideas is to visit one of the numerous native gardens or test plots across Wyoming. County CES offices can provide locations to many of the sites.

"The CES office in Natrona County has an extraordinary planting. It's attractive and very educational, and it's an extremely timely planting. Wyoming always goes through periods of drought, either yearly or seasonal, and the garden will help visitors plan their landscapes with the state's harsh climate in mind," says Brett Moline, an area extension educator for Carbon and Albany counties who has expertise in agriculture economics and organic agriculture.

Extension horticulturist specialist Karen Panter with the UW Department of Plant Sciences says, "I urge people to contact Donna Cuin and the UW Natrona County Master Gardeners if they have questions about any of the plant material at the CES office in Natrona County."

Of the display in Casper, CES horticulture program associate, Cuin says, "We added a dry shade garden on the north end of our building due to the number of Wyoming landscapes in established areas of towns and cities. Many of these established landscapes are not suited for a majority of recommended xeric plants (those suitable for 'dry' plantings) because the mature trees and the close proximity of homes create too much shade for the sun-loving plants on most lists."

Cuin says the garden was only planted last summer and is in the early stages of development, but that it already has "Wyoming flair" because of the addition of several large moss rocks.

"I think people can gather ideas for their own landscapes by looking at other landscapes for ideas. As with any art form, shape, lines of sight, and color combinations can give inspiration for another project," Cuin notes. "If Wyoming gardeners keep their minds and eyes open, they have a wealth of opportunities to see and try new things in their gardens, both from nature and in other gardens they see."

Elsewhere in Wyoming, Panter says, numerous plants are being tested and are on display adjacent to the College of Agriculture greenhouse in Laramie. A list of plants at the demonstration site as well as those species which did not survive testing is available from UW horticulture.

For additional landscaping ideas, Panter says, "The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Lions Park is a wonderful place to visit. It offers a variety of plant species and landscape designs."

Another good place to view native plants in a "dry" setting is the Sheridan R&E Center, which has developed a xeriscape garden that continues to evolve.

A horticulture demonstration area containing trees and shrubs is proposed for the new UW Sustainable Agriculture R&E Center two miles west of Lingle, says the center's director, Jim Freeburn.

Tom Heald, an area extension educator for Converse, Natrona, and Niobrara counties, recommends a visit to the High Plains Grasslands Research Station (HPGRS) near Cheyenne. The station, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, has a variety of trees and shrubs.

The plants received care for many years, according to a HPGRS spokeswoman, but since the 1970s they haven't been given any supplemental water. She said the ones that survived have proved they can withstand harsh conditions. Persons wishing to tour the station should first make an appointment by calling 307-772-2433.

In western Wyoming, says Joyce Johnston, Park County extension horticulturist, "Master Gardeners have put together a showcase garden in Worland, and they have designed shade gardens for the Absaroka Assisted Living in Cody. There is also a very nice published walking garden tour in Fremont County."

Johnston adds that her office is working with the city of Powell to develop a book of trees, shrubs, and vines for residents of her area. As planned, the book would contain photos of the plants as well as addresses where the photos were taken so the species can be viewed up close and personal.

Alan Gray, director, at the Powell R&E Center, says, "We have a shrub and tree demonstration nursery that's mainly for wildlife habitat."

Julia Barton, horticultural assistant who coordinates the Master Gardener program for Sweetwater County CES, says, "We're in the planning stages of developing a demonstration garden in Rock Springs that will showcase native plants."

On the Web:

--UW CES offices:http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWCES/

--UW R&E centers: www.uwyo.edu/Agexpstn/

--UW Horticulture: http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/EPPL/Horticulture/

--UW Horticulture publications: www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/Horticulture/Horticulture_Publications_Main.htm.

--Cheyenne Botanic Gardens: www.botanic.org/

--USDA/ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station: www.rrru.ars.usda.gov/.

Date: 4/21/05